The deadline just passed for teams to add prospects to their 40-man rosters, to protect them from the Rule 5 draft next month, and the Giants had a surprise for us.

One of the six players they added to the 40-man is first baseman Angel Villalona, who was absolved of a murder charge in his native Dominican Republic and hasn’t played since 2009. He does not even have a visa to return to the States. However, as The Chronicle first reported in September, the team was prepared to welcome him back to the organization upon a settlement in a $5 million breach-of-contract lawsuit he filed against the Giants after his arrest. This is just my speculation, but maybe placing him on the 40-man might help the Giants’ cause in getting that visa, allowing Villalona to return. But I just spoke to Bobby Evans, and he said the Giants do have some fear that Villalona would be snatched in the Rule 5 draft, and he’s a good enough player to warrant protecting.

Evans said Villalona was removed from baseball’s restricted list about a month ago.

The Giants had to drop two players from the 40-man (which had been down to 36). Reliever Waldis Joaquin and outfielder Darren Ford were designated for assignment. Ford was a popular player with his speed and defense, but he was completely overmatched by big-league pitching. If the Giants cannot trade them within 10 days, they will be released and made free agents. But the Giants can re-sign them to minor-league contracts, and Evans said the Giants would have interest in bringing them back.

The other players added to the 40-man were outfielders Tyler Graham and Roger Kieschnick, infielder Charlie Culberson, and pitchers Dan Otero and Hector Correa, whom the Giants got as part of a series of trades that sent now-retired Jack Taschner to the Phillies.